WHERE IS BABY?

This sweet, simple introduction to animal babies focuses on how they keep themselves safe by hiding.

Beginning with an illustration of a little boy preparing to hide from his mother, the text explains: “Some babies are found in unusual places.” Each page spread that follows features a baby animal and explains where and how it hides. The deer, for example, “disappear in dappled spring sunlight,” while the little robins “hunch down and don’t made a peep.” The final foldout page provides closure and comfort as Mama discovers her little boy hiding under a blanket and scoops him up. Though limited to only a short sentence on most pages, the language is quietly poetic, with audience-appropriate descriptive vocabulary. The acrylic-and–colored-pencil illustrations depict cuddly baby animals up close, allowing readers to see their faces as well as their textures and colorations in great detail. While the illustrations are lovely, a few will likely provoke some consternation, as children will wonder why the animals are so easy to spot when they are supposed to be hiding by blending into the background. Three pages of backmatter provide more information about each animal.

Though baby animal books abound, this one’s sweet framing device, simple but precise language and appealing illustrations will no doubt find it some fans.